ECO B27 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Katalimov Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 b6

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3. d4+0.70

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Katalimov Variation (B27), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 b6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. d4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.70).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.703. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Bf4 Bb7 7. Qd2 Nf6
  2. +0.573. Nc3 a6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. Bf4 Bb7 7. Qd2 Nf6
  3. +0.453. h4 Bb7 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Qb8 7. Be3 e6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Katalimov Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 b6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. d4 for White, continuing cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Bf4 Bb7 7. Qd2 Nf6. White is slightly better (+0.70). The next best moves are 3. Nc3 (+0.57) and 3. h4 (+0.45).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Katalimov Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.70: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Sicilian Defense: Katalimov Variation?
B27. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).